Dr. Charles Edward Keseman lived trusting the Lord Jesus. After a long illness, he died peacefully on January 31, 2022, with his faith still unshaken.

The length of this obituary is a tribute to Charlie's aversion to brevity.

Born on December 5, 1936, to Edward and Bertha (Kueck) Keseman, Charles began life on a farm near Lincoln, Missouri. His parents taught Charlie both the centrality of the Christian faith and the work ethic that he and his wife Esther passed on to their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. On December 27, 1936, Charles was baptized into the saving death and resurrection of Christ at Immanuel Lutheran Church on the prairie north of Lincoln, and he confirmed that baptismal faith on April 8, 1951.

Charles married Esther Louise Kisker on October 9, 1960, and for 61 blessed years they made their home in Warrensburg, Missouri. They provided a beautiful example of marriage, not only to their family but to everyone around them, reflecting the love and forgiveness that Christ provides for His Church. Charlie and Esther filled their home with the Word of God, beginning and ending each day with family devotions and prayer.

One of his co-workers summarized Charlie's life: "He had strong Christian values, and those values guided him throughout his life and made all of those around him better. The world is a better place because of Charlie."

Charlie's education began in a one-room rural school and continued at Lincoln High School and Central Missouri State College (later CMSU and now UCM). He was awarded a Doctor of Education degree by the University of Missouri-Columbia. However, Charlie focused not on his academic credentials but on his students. He taught Industrial Arts briefly in Raytown public schools and then touched the lives of multiple generations of graphics students during 37 years in the classroom at CMS. A fellow faculty member wrote that Charlie "was viewed by students and peers as a teacher without equal," who "had a wide array of teaching skills to motivate, mentor and encourage both the gifted and those who needed that little extra boost." His example led many of his students and family members to become teachers. He also guided the writing of Industrial Technology curricula for Missouri public schools. While Charlie primarily taught drafting, his creativity also inspired him to develop and frequently to teach a Creative Problem-Solving course.

In 1987, Charles became the first recipient of the T.R. Gaines Outstanding Faculty Award, which was especially meaningful to him, because Dr. Gaines had been a respected mentor to Charles. He received the 1993 William H. Byler Distinguished Professor Award, considered the highest honor bestowed on faculty at CMS. That same year, the state of Missouri honored him with the Governor's Award for Excellence in Teaching. However, his greatest professional satisfaction came in seeing his students succeed in the classroom and in life. Nothing gave him more joy than to hear from former students—whom he always remembered—and to learn about their accomplishments, especially as teachers.

Charlie was devoted not just to Esther and their family but also to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, their faith family of more than sixty years. At various times, he held most offices in the congregation, including elder and president, but he was especially dedicated to making evangelism visits and to teaching and attending Bible classes.

Charles served his country in the Air Force Reserves, including active duty during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He served on the Trails Regional Library Board for many years, donated blood regularly, and coached youth baseball. It would be hard to imagine anyone being a more avid (or vocal) fan of Mules and Jennies sports. He was instrumental in beginning Lutheran Campus Ministry in Warrensburg and in the construction of St. Timothy Lutheran Chapel. He enjoyed his years as a faculty advisor for Lutheran student organizations, and both he and Esther served on the Area Board for Campus Ministry.

Charlie set a quiet but beautiful example of Christian care for the people around him. Though he was frugal with his money (he bought only one new car in his entire life), he and Esther were generous in giving to others, especially those who struggled in life. They shared meals, opened their home, and provided temporary employment for many. Their children estimate that they welcomed guests for a total of at least 2000 nights. Their love for people and their joy in Christ brightened countless lives.

Charlie and Esther loved camping, gardening, and the home they created in the country. They delighted in card-playing, dinners, and vacations during three decades with their fun loving bridge group. Charlie especially enjoyed woodworking, collecting nativity scenes, watching birds, games with his family, and, oh yes, ice cream.

Despite his busy schedule, Charlie's dedication to his dearly loved family meant he never missed his children's activities, he helped with countless 4-H projects, and he attended every major life event of his grandchildren, often traveling many miles to do so. Three of his grandchildren (and their parents) had the privilege of visiting all fifty states with Charlie and Esther, almost all while traveling in a van pulling a 7-person (counting generously) pop-up camper.

Charles is survived by his wife Esther; his sister, Margaret Spence; his children, Bruce (Christine) Keseman, Anita (Bryce) Lieser, and Brent (Rena) Keseman; his grandchildren Andrew (Linsey) Keseman, Hannah (Erik) Gillaspie, Rachel Keseman, Katyarena Keseman, Tobiah Keseman, and Margaret Keseman; and his great-grandchildren James Keseman, John Keseman, Benjamin Gillaspie, Joel Gillaspie, and soon-to-be-born Baby Gillaspie; as well as many extended family members and dear friends.

Charlie lived knowing he was a sinner in dire need of a Savior, so he gave constant thanks that Jesus paid his eternal debt at the cross. And Charlie lived trusting that Jesus rose from death to crack open the graves of all who die believing in Him. Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live even if he dies. And whoever lives and believes in Me will never die" (John 11).

Visitation is Friday, February 4, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm, at Sweeney-Phillips & Holdren Funeral Home in Warrensburg. The funeral is Saturday, February 5, at 10:30 am at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. The family invites you to join them. Please wear face coverings. The service will be streamed at www.blchurch.com/home .

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to ministries dear to Charlie: Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Warrensburg, Missouri, or Heit's Point Lutheran Camp at Lincoln, Missouri.